New Delhi: As Jammu and Kashmir gears up for the first phase of assembly elections in the state—the first in 10 years—Wednesday, ThePrint brings you on-the-ground glimpses from Bijbehara, Pulwama and Baramulla. ThePrint’s national photo editor, Praveen Jain, has captured the mood in the state amid election fever.
Notable developments include former CM Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija Mufti making her political debut as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Bijbehara; Waheed Ur Rehman Para, president of the PDP’s youth wing, being fielded from Pulwama; Aijaz Ahmed Guru, brother of Afzal Guru who was executed for his role in the 2001 Parliament attack, contesting as an Independent from Sopore in Baramulla; and Sheikh Khursheed, brother of Baramulla MP and chief of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) Engineer Rashid, filing his nomination from Rashid’s hometown Langate in north Kashmir.
This election is also set to witness the return of banned Islamist outfit Jamaat-e-Islami, which is backing former member Sayar Ahmad Reshi as an Independent from Kulgam, and former PDP MLA Aijaz Ahmad Mir as an Independent from Zainapora in Shopian district.
The campaigning witnessed a fair number of supporters gathering to meet the candidates, who were seen interacting with people, sharing food and obliging requests for pictures.
Following a Supreme Court ruling in December, which mandated that Jammu and Kashmir conduct elections to choose its representatives, polls are slated to be held in three phases, starting Wednesday. Approximately 90 lakh Kashmiris have registered to cast their ballots.
The second and third phases of the polls will be held on 25 September and 1 October, respectively, with results scheduled to be announced on 8 October.
Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija Mufti waving to people gathered while campaigning in Bijbehara | Praveen Jain | ThePrint
Iltija Mufti interacting with women voters in the constituency | Praveen Jain | ThePrintIltija Mufti shaking hands with her supporters | Praveen Jain | ThePrintWaheed Ur Rehman Para, president of the youth wing of the Peoples Democratic Party | Praveen Jain | ThePrintA woman welcoming Waheed Ur Rehman Para with sweets and candies | Praveen Jain | ThePrintWaheed Ur Rehman Para interacting with people | Praveen Jain | ThePrintWaheed Ur Rehman Para campaigning | Praveen Jain | ThePrintA girl taking a picture of Waheed ur Rehman Para during his campaign | Praveen Jain | ThePrintWomen who participated in Waheed ur Rehman Para’s campaign | Praveen Jain | ThePrintA girl with the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party | Praveen Jain | ThePrintWomen watching Waheed Ur Rehman Para’s campaign in Pulwama | Praveen Jain | ThePrintWoman taking pictures of Waheed Ur Rehman Para’s election campaign | Praveen Jain | ThePrintBaramulla MP Engineer Rashid reaching Srinagar airport after being released on bail from Tihar Jail | Praveen Jain | ThePrintEngineer Rashid waving to a crowd near Srinagar Airport | Praveen Jain | ThePrintPeople gathering to see Engineer Rashid | Praveen Jain | ThePrintEngineer Rashid shaking hands with supporters before addressing a rally in Baramulla | Praveen Jain | ThePrintEngineer Rashid addressing a rally at Ground Deliana in Baramulla | Praveen Jain | ThePrintEngineer Rashid campaigning in Baramulla | Praveen Jain | ThePrintSupporters of Engineer Rashid at his Baramulla rally | Praveen Jain | ThePrintFarooq Abdullah sitting in the garden of his residence after campaigning | Praveen Jain | ThePrintSayar Ahmad Reshi, an Independent being backed by banned fundamentalist outfit Jamaat-e-Islami, campaigning in Kulgam | Praveen Jain | ThePrintFormer PDP MLA Aijaz Ahmad Mir, being backed by Jamaat-e-Islami, leaving his home for a campaign | Praveen Jain | ThePrintAijaz Ahmed Guru, brother of Afzal Guru, is contesting from Sopore | Praveen Jain | ThePrintSupporters campaigning for Aadil Rashid Bhat, an Independent contesting from Pulwama’s Pampore | Praveen Jain | ThePrint
(Edited by Radifah Kabir)
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